No Need For Cotton Swabs

People - House Calls - ASK LAKE DOCTORS

Ears Are Cleansed Naturally

December 9, 1992|By Dr. Judith Milstead Special To The Sentinel

Q: This is a silly question, but my friend insists on cleaning her ears with a cotton swab almost every day. I have heard that this can be very dangerous and can damage the ear. What is the best way to clean ears?

A: That's a good question and one I am asked many times. The answer is one that may surprise you. No daily routine is recommended for ear cleansing.

The reasons for this are many and varied. First, and most important, is the fact that the ear has a natural cleansing system. What this means is that the skin of the ear canal grows from the middle of the eardrum outwardly to the opening of the ear canal.

This peculiar pattern of skin growth allows the solid particles of wax and old skin cells to be taken to the outer part of the ear where they can be removed with a damp washcloth.

Most people think that they are aiding wax removal by using a cotton tip applicator. In most cases, the opposite is true. The cotton tip applicator becomes a ''battering ram'' or a ''gun powder compressor'' when placed in the ear canal. In many instances, wax is packed more firmly than ever against the ear drum after using them.

Another problem encountered with attempts to clean the ear canal is not being able to see what you are doing. This combined with the shape of the ear canal creates a situation doomed for failure. The ear canal is actually S-shaped and runs an oblique course in the skull.

There are a number of ads these days about ear wax removal kits. For the most part, these kits are ineffective. First, a chemical agent much like hydrogen peroxide is dropped into the ear. As the wax liquefies it expands. A bad situation has now become worse. Then, the user is directed to wash the ear with water. This is a blind maneuver and may push the liquefiedwax into the recess area of the ear canal. Now you have a plugged, painful ear that may become infected.

The most I ever recommend for cleaning the ear of trapped water is a 50-50 mixture of rubbing alcohol and white vinegar. The alcohol will dry the ear while the vinegar, which is a dilute acid, will make the ear canal undesirable for bacterial growth. This mixture can be only used with AN INTACT, HEALTHY EARDRUM.

Wax is a naturally produced substance, and as such, provides a water repellent, acidic coating of the ear canal. It can also stop any small bugs from flying into the ear drum. An ear canal constantly denuded of its primary defense mechanism is likely to become infected.

If you have a problem with wax buildup in the ear canal, by far your best option for having wax removed is to see your physician. After all ''an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.''